Rumor: Malik Hairston to Montepaschi? (Confirmed)

[benefactor]

My cleats are firm in the grass, sir.

[ohmwrecker]

Fair enough.

[lowdown]

ohmwrecker, we don't truly know what the front office thinks but I was more referring to what move Malik (or his agent) would make once the Spurs signed Neal for 3 years as oppose to Malik's non-guaranteed contract. The Spurs are experimenting with the wings they will keep long term - that's why they invest in the Toros. What I don't believe is Gee being a simple replacement for Malik unless you mean he'll be another project who doesn't get any real playing time in the Association. The choice between Malik & Gee would of been sorted out in training camp/pre-season. Malik had to figure why risk being cut by a team that just gave guaranteed $ to Neal so he had to check all options.

[TD 21]

Very surprised to say the least..

But then again, I think they like Gee much more as an overall player.. I'd have to agree as I think Gee is a more talented from what I've seen of them both

Gee probably is more talented, but Hairston was a better fit for what the Spurs need.

Watch them re-sign Bogans. It'll be the same reasoning as when they re-signed Finley to a two year deal in '08 despite him coming off of an underwhelming season and looking perilously close to being done: they were comfortable with him, he knew the system and the options available to fill that role weren't appealing.

If they re-sign him, how can they honestly claim to be younger and more athletic (which Pop said they needed to become even moreso after the season ended)? Splitter and Anderson are more athletic than what they had, but that says more about the players they're replacing than their own athleticism. Neal isn't athletic at all. It's one thing to be undersized on the wings, but undersized and deficient athletically? These are the same two problems they've had for years.

[benefactor]

Watch them re-sign Bogans. It'll be the same reasoning as when they re-signed Finley to a two year deal in '08 despite him coming off of an underwhelming season and looking perilously close to being done: they were comfortable with him, he knew the system and the options available to fill that role weren't appealing.

If that happens...well...

[sandman]

Is that stage 3 of this year TdF in ur avarta?

No, it was a domestic race here in the States. That Stage 3 crash was tame compared to this carnage.

[flasah]

They need to trade for James Posey (though his contract does kinda suck) or someone like him 'cause there's no free agent out there that can address what the Spurs need.

All that's left out there are 30-somethings like Hughes, Stackhouse, Devin Brown, McGrady, Jeffries, Tim Thomas, Wilkens & Devean George. So yeah, it'll have to be a trade, a rookie, or an overseas player.

[beachwood]

I guess the Spurs are pretty high on Gee. They will likely sign a vet SF now.

I kinda hope so. I'll put all my chips in on this guy. Go for broke.

[lurker23]

lurker23, I can't see the Spurs not signing a veteran SF at this point. They were already somewhat thin (in terms of true SF's) and largely unproven at that position, so with one of the two main backup SF options gone, it's a no brainer that they bring in someone else. Looking at the players available, my guess is it's going to be Bogans or Hayes.

I think it really depends on their opinion of Anderson. The Spurs put a lot of stock on individual workouts for draft picks, so they have a lot more data than we do. If they're happy with his defense, then I could see them staying pat. But I agree, based solely on what we've seen from Spurs moves in the past, a veteran SF signing seems most likely.

[DesignatedT]

i'm still waiting for tothrowed to hear about the news.

[elemento]

The Centerpiece coming back soon sons !! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

[diego]

after the PO and this, anybody still happy about the dragic/malik trade?

[Obstructed_View]

after the PO and this, anybody still happy about the dragic/malik trade?

Uh, didn't the Spurs pick DeJuan Blair with the second rounder they got from Phoenix?

[coyotes_geek]

after the PO and this, anybody still happy about the dragic/malik trade?

got blair out of that deal. i'm fine with it.

[ohmwrecker]

after the PO and this, anybody still happy about the dragic/malik trade?

That wasn't really a "trade". The Spurs picked Dragic for the Suns. It was a pre-arranged deal. It would've been pretty ty of the Spurs to back out. Funny, but ty, nonetheless.

[ohmwrecker]

Uh, didn't the Spurs pick DeJuan Blair with the second rounder they got from Phoenix?

Also true, but that was a stroke of luck.

[coyotes_geek]

Also true, but that was a stroke of luck.

Still counts. Besides, even if the Spurs had drafted Dragic for themselves they'd likely have just draft-and-stashed him since they already had Parker/Hill at PG.

[Obstructed_View]

Also true, but that was a stroke of luck.

So what? The question is "is anyone happy with the Dragic/Hairston trade". Say you aren't. I dare you. The Spurs weren't going to pick Dragic for themselves anymore than they picked Barbosa or Salmons for themselves.

[ElNono]

Is Dragic that kid that bukkaked all over us in that playoff game last season?

[MannyIsGod]

I'm not sure why people are thinking the Spurs are going out to get a SF now. With the luxury tax situation I really doubt they add anyone.

[ChumpDumper]

I'm not sure why people are thinking the Spurs are going out to get a SF now. With the luxury tax situation I really doubt they add anyone.

Probably true. Unless some free agent really impresses in camp and takes Gee or Temple's spot, this could be it until the trading season begins.

[ElNono]

I'm not sure why people are thinking the Spurs are going out to get a SF now. With the luxury tax situation I really doubt they add anyone.

+1

We're cutting Jerrels and the end of camp and call it a day.

[coyotes_geek]

I'm not sure why people are thinking the Spurs are going out to get a SF now. With the luxury tax situation I really doubt they add anyone.

Agreed. The Spurs will probably carry a 13 man roster and pick up a couple of guys near the end of the regular season. Maybe they'll luck out and be able to land a buyout guy after the trading deadline.

[TD 21]

I think it really depends on their opinion of Anderson. The Spurs put a lot of stock on individual workouts for draft picks, so they have a lot more data than we do. If they're happy with his defense, then I could see them staying pat. But I agree, based solely on what we've seen from Spurs moves in the past, a veteran SF signing seems most likely.

I don't even think it depends on their opinion of Anderson. There's no way they can honestly view a rookie, who doesn't possess outstanding physical tools and is known as a mediocre defender, as a player who can guard top opposition wings.

Another name I'll throw into the mix is Alan Anderson.

[Vic Petro]

To be a role player on a good team, you need to have a singular skill that you can hang your hat on. Hairston didn't have one. Pretty good at most things but not great at anything. He needs minutes to improve and he wasn't going to get them on the Spurs, who can't afford to wait and see if he can be a regular contributor. At least with Gee, we know that no matter what he can get to the rim. With Neal we know he can score. With Hairston, maybe one night he'd rebound well. The next night he'd shoot well. The third night he'd D his man up well. But with reserves, the coaching staff needs to know exactly what they are going to get.